Coupling



Oct. 14, 1941. w. c. IFTIGER, sR 2,259,137

COUPLING Filed Aug. 14, 1959 3/ J2 3 BY y A TTOR MFV,

Patented Oct- 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT FFTCE4 ooUPLING Wiliiam C. Iftiger, Sr., Santa Fe Springs, Caiif. Application August 1'4, 1939, serial No. 289,965

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a coupling, and has a particularly important application in the coupling of a hose or fluid conduit to a faucet, pipe, or other fluid conducting means.

It is an object of my invention to provide a coupling which can be conveniently and' rapidly connected and disconnected.

An object of my invention is to provide a threaded female coupling member which is adapted to be connected and disconnected to a threaded male member much more quickly than has heretofore been possible.

Another object is to provide a threaded female coupling member adapted to be connected to a threaded male member such as the outlet of a' faucet, a pipe, or the like, by simply pushing the female member over the threads of the male member and to be tightened to make a fluidtight connection by turning the female member through not more than one turn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a threaded female coupling member that can be partially engaged upon a threaded male member at an angle and quickly aligned to the threads thereof.

Another object is to provide a threaded female coupling member adapted to make a duid-tight connection with a threaded male member and to be securely held in coupled relation therewith against any accidental uncoupling, but which is adapted to be disconnected from the male member by simply turning the female member through a small angle and pulling it straight olf or off at an angle.

Another object is to provide a quickly connectible threaded coupling that can be readily converted into a common screw type coupling by simply moving a sliding collar of the device to its forward, stop and leaving it in this position.

Another object is to provide a quickly connectible threaded coupling that has the strength of a common screw type Icoupling having the same number of threads of the same dimension, but which requires only one turn in making a tight' connection.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a coupling that is adapted for cheap manufacture on a large production basis, that is dependable in its operation, and is durable and of long-life.

These and other apparent objects are attained in a manner that will be clear from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, of which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional end View of the coupling of my invention with the female coupling member in tightened coupled relation with a threaded male member, the section being taken on the line I-l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional View of my coupling taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on a plane through the jaws of my coupling and showing my threaded female coupling member being pushed over a threaded male member disposed at an angle relative thereto, in the act of coupling the male and female members.

Fig, 4 is an end sectional view of my coupling with the female memberrin position over the male member, and with the parts in position for, but prior to tightening.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling under conditions corresponding to those of Fig. 4, and taken on a line 5 5.

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of one of the threaded jaws forming part of my female coupling member. y

While the coupling of my invention is adapted to connect a member of any character toany threaded male member of suitable dimensions, whetherv or not the members to be connected are provided with fluid passages therethrough, I

-have chosen to disclose herein that important embodiment of my invention in which a threaded female member I0 having a fluid passage therethrough is rotatably connected to a fluid conduit II in the form of a rubber hose and is adapted l to be coupled toa threaded male member I2 havconnected to the hose II by means of a tubular part I3 which is inserted into the hose and has a ridged Vexterior adjacent its entering end for retaining the hose. At its other end the part I3 is formed with a radially outwardly directed flange I4. At a short distance along the tubular part I3 to the rear of the flange I 4, a shoulder I5 is formed in the exterior of the part I3, against which a ring I6 abuts. A ferrule I'I covers the end of the hosell and engages the ring I6, the ferrule II and the ring I6 being held firmly in assembled condition by engagement of the tubular part I3 with the inner surface of the hose II.

` The ring I6 and the flange I4 denne an annular groove i8 surrounding the tubular part 2|. The upper portion of the side of the ring I6 radial thickness of metal in the jaw to the rear is beveled at 22 facing the groove I8 to facilitate of the groove 40.

deflection of the jaws 2| about the inner and The collar 23 is preferably formed with a rearward edge of the flanges 23 when the bevel knurled exterior and carries at its forward end 22 is forced against this edge; and the groove 5 inwardly directed lugs 42 disposed within the I8 is made Wider than the flanges 20 in order to slots 24 between the jaws 2| and preferably exavoid any obstruction to the deflection of the tending rearwardly substantially to the beginjaws. A rotatable ring I9 is preferably posining of the cam faces 29 when the collar is in its tioned with clearance within the groove I8 surmost forward position. Ihe bore of the lugs 42 rounding:thetubular part I3tofacilitate rota- 1()v is preferably larger than the outside diameter tion of the-jawsllaround the part I3 within the of the threaded portion of the male member for groove I8. The jaws 2| are arcuate in shape and which the coupling is adapted, so as to permit are disposed concentrically within a collar 2.23, fthe coupling, when the collar 23 is in its rearmost the jaws being circumferentially spaced from one position, to be entered upon or pulled off of the another so as to provide slots 24 therebetween:- 15 -threads of the threaded male memberat an angle The interiors of the jaws 2|-are-threaded at-25 -A-thereto. VAn .internal groove 43 preferably of to match in radius, pitch, and shape the, threads Width greater than the diameter of the spring 26 on the exterior of the male-'memberA I2.l `'I-'he A- 3| islocated in the collar 23 to the rear of and rearmost portions of the interior surfaces Yof-theadjacent to lugs 42 to provide clearance for the jaws 2| adjacent the ange I4 are recessed at 20 spring 3| when the collar 23 is in its rearmost d2,'I-toaccommodate afflexible washer-28v and to s position, with the lugs 42 .againsttbe Vspring' 3|, 1 -retain it Tin-positionadjacent .the flangeil4- One andwheni the.,jawsr2| are:deflectedioutwardly. -edge o-fy each of the jaws 2| lyingon that sideof An .internal radius groove-.144,: corresponding in the adjacent slot 24 which is in thedirection'toradius approximately ftoij'the Acoil spring 3|,.is wardwhichthe 'collar is rotatedl in!- tightening25: locatedin. the. collari 23..in zalignment, withV the the coupling is shaped; to-form azcarn face`29 in spring 3| When the Ycollar :23; isatpits forward such'lmanner'thatlthe-rear portions ofthe slots stop. Another internalgroove 45,semi-r,ound in *--24iare narrowerl than' `the forwardportions' thereshape, is locatedinLthezcollar123;in 'alignment of.,-LVVher-i-'thel coupling, such as that illustrated, ywith'the groove 36 on Athejaws 2 I 'whenthe' collar -is provided with-right-hand :threadsg thecam..'30 23 isratl itspforwardzstop, and a13springwire 46,

face-29 is-on the side ofthejawZI'lyingion `that of greater naturakdiameterithan"the inside 'of side of each slot 24 whichis mostadvanced in a the collar 23, is received'intheigroove^45 and f lcounter-clockwisedireotionin Fig- 1. acts as a forward stopzfor-the collai;23;by'engag In- ;theexterion of 'thegjaws 2I--is agroove 'S33 ing vthe rear side ofthespring-SI whenthecollar -longitudinallypositioned inA arsuitable location-A35 23 is moved in a vforward direction; Theinside on the opposite side of ".theange-M-fromlthe dimensions,of'thefcollarZSare preferablysuch -anges L23. Withinthis -grooveBlJ is a 'closely `thatiwhenV the femalemember 'lisfinstalled-on wound closed coil-spring3 If which .extendseny.tl'iemalefmember I2 prior. to tighteningthe-coutirely around all of'the sja-ws' 2L and4 u1-ges the pling, as iniFig. 5, 4,the-forward endoffthegclollar -jaws,2|radiallyinward,.the tension of theVspring-fo has clearance 4over 'the :periphery of Ythe `anges 3|- beingsuch astopermiteach jaw 2| `to yield Y3l, the .collar may readily be Slid 0VI""h @Oil outwardly independently of the other of thejaws Spring 53|, and the SPFDg'WrBFM haS'ClealanCe j2| -T0 reinforce-the spring-3| anwteprevent overthe periphery;offrthesjawsI- adjacentgthe *lits lojualpse those stagesin'the operation groovels, in Such Vmannerutha'tthe' Collar 23 is IMofvtheleeupllllgWhenLhe-lsprng-lsunder Stress, 45 freely movable to and fro over the jaws 2|; but a, Secondjlosely Wound coirspringz; preferably f theoutward expansion of; the jaws 2|,gwl1en the Woundn theleppositedireeton te--the-Springgl, 4collar 23 is "at its; forward stop, 1s restricted to L, isginserted. the,spri ng"3|.` Thejspringf32 Preferably milch IGSS than 'the` depth 'Of-:f the pdoes not have itsendsjoinedandtherefore does,K f thTeadS 25 andZB. "notinfluence the forcerequired to circumferen-"50 f The Operatlonef the Couplmg `W111 newbede' ,tiallystretch thespringihbut its endsarerelascribed' 'Assume thee-5115215 'desired' te Connect .tively ,closetogether `and its outer diameter Iis the female member 'ete'the mele member z' onlyI a littlesmallerlthan vthe inner diameter 'of The eeuer-23 1S first meved to lts reermesepesl .thespring' .3| sd asto.rprovide "efficient, lateralV` tien 1 Wheh the reel: 51de ethellugs engage reinforcement ,fofthelsprngL '1w 55 the coilspring 3|. Since the spring v3|,1s later- #,'Iherear .wall ofeach of the jaws "2| may be ally-reinforced' by they inner spring 32' there is .beveled at .35. nthe exterior, surface of the "Pee danger ef 'Crushing the Spring 3|` When'feree jawsebetweerithe lwa1lsQ35 and .thegroove 30 is s'exered rearwardlypnthe cenar'zs 'In'mov' a rshall0W andi narlgow groove A36x01. a purpose mgthe collar,23 to itsrea-rward'stop the-lugs 60- ;42 pass rearwardlyalong the slots 24,- in constant .engagement with' the jaws` 2|; on either side, engage thecam faces 29 Vandcircumferentially spread each pair of jaws 2| by anamount equal whereinafterf.explained,the forward wall of' the groove 36-4beingformed by thefrearsideof the '-coilgspringf 3|. Eachw-f the'jaws .72| terminates a'titsfrwafrd'endtin'anoutwardly directed aregfe to the'circumferential rise of each'cam face 29. ..31.jllavin'gits-l rearlcornerf-beveled fat38.to..fac1l1- C5 With the Collar 23 in the rearmost, position', it tatetsliding thecol-lar 23-overfthe-ljaws 2I. f The J will beV seen that the spring 3| 'urgesthe'jaws :innert-'and forward'edeefof each 'ef the jaws `2l .toi their innermost positions, the forwardfposi- S-i`sbeveled.at39 tofac'ilitate entrance of the male tions-0f the jaws being prevented from. sollepslng MJrne'rnberbetween zthefiaws. Adjacent the flanges by ,engagement of the .edges thereof. with the 531-- is wgiOOVll adapted t0 DIOVdeY 0162131106 lso interposed lugs 42, and the rear portions ofthe for the forward end of the collar 23 .whenfthe ljaws being supported byV engagement V-of the "jaws 2|a-re deflected outwardly and the collar flanges 23 with the ring I9. The dimensions A'of "23 'Sfihf 'its IeaTmOS- DOSOH- The Tear Wall Y0f vthe jaws 2| and the .lugs 42 are preferably such the groove A'-IIII, is'inclined iat 4I; providing addithat; with the collar 23 `inrits rearmost position tional 'clearance but retaining a Aconsiderable'175r .the jaws 2| form :arcs 'of a .commoncircle and the threads of the jaws substantially match in diameter the threads of the male member I2. The coupling is now ready to connect to the male member.

In making the connection, it is only necessary to grasp th-e hose II and force the female member over the male member I2. The connection can be made with the two members in alignment or with them at an angle to one another. Fig. 3 illustrates the conditions existing at one stage in the act of making the connection when the female member is forced over the male member at an angle thereto. The jaws 2| are thrust rearwardly to engage the ring IG and are then deflected outwardly, fulcruming about the point of contact of the end of the flange with the ring I9 and the ring I6. It will be observed that the entering faces of the threads on the male member are engaged by the forward faces of the threads of the jaws 2| and that since both faces are sloping, the jaws are forced outwardly by the pressure of this Contact. The jaws are also urged outwardly by the axial force exerted upon the threads of the jaws, which force, acting around the fulcrum point of the jaws located radially inward from the line of action of said force, produces an outward turning moment on the jaws 2|. When the jaws 2| are deflected outwardly, the spring 3| is also carried outwardly into the clearance groove 43, the groove 49 on the jaws providing ample .clearance for the forward end of the collar 23. As the coupling is forced further over the male member I2 the threads 25 of the jaws ride over the threads 25 of the male member, and eventually the washer 28 is engaged by the end of the member I2. The coupling may then be brought into alignment with the member I2. If any difficulty is had in aligning the threads, the collar 23 is turned in a clockwise direction (for right-hand threads) as seen from the left side of Fig. 3, causing the threads of the jaws to ride over the threads of the male member until the jaws automatically fall into the correct positions. Ordinarily the jaws ZI assume their correct positions in matched engagement with the threads of the member I2 without any rotation of the collar being required, the jaws being urged to their positions by the coil spring 3|. It will be obvious how the jaws of the coupling expand and ride over the threads of the male member when the member I9 is forced straight over the male member instead of beingentered thereupon at an angle thereto, as above described.

When the coupling has been forced over the member I2 until the member I2 abuts the washer 28 and the jaws 2| are in threaded engagement with the member I2, the collar 23 is then moved in a forward direction as far as it will go, being limited in its forward travel by engagement of the spring wire 49 with the coil spring 3|. The conditions then existing are those illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. It will be seen that the member I2 abuts the washer 28 and that the forward portions of the jaws 2| are in threaded engagement with the member I2. The flanges 20 rest on the ring I9 to support the jaws at the rear. There is clearance between the lugs 42 and the jaws 2| on the same sides of the slots 24 as the cam faces 29 until the collar 23 is turned to tighten the coupling.

To make the connection fluid tight, the collar 23 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction (for right-hand threads) in Fig. 1, bringing the lugs 42 into engagement with the opposite walls of 75 the slots from those in engagement with the lugs under the conditions of Fig. 4. In this condition the collar is prevented from accidentally being moved to a rearward position during the tightening of the coupling, by reason of the presence of the cam faces 29 in the path of the lugs 42. Further turning of the collar 23 in the same direction rotates the jaws 2| and tends to screw the member I2 further into the jaws, but since the travel of the member I2 into the coupling is limited by the washer 23, and the forward movement of the jaws is restricted by engagement of the flanges 20'with the flange I4, the only result can be the riding up of the jaws 2| on the threads of the member I2. In this action the rear faces of the threads of the jaws are the ones in engagement with the threads of the male member I2. As a result, then, of turning the collar 23 as described, the jaws 2| are expanded outwardly into the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the peripheries of the flanges 3'I are forced against interior surfaces of the collar 23; the flanges 20 are raised out of contact with the ring I9; the spring 3| is clamped within the groove 30 on one side and the groove 44 on the other side; and the inner diameter of the spring wire 4S lies in contact with the bottom of the groove 36 of the jaws, thereby protecting the adjacent coil spring 3| against excessive pressure which might otherwise damage the spring during the tightening operation.

Ordinarily, considerably less than a single turn of the collar is required to tighten the coupling. It will be seen that, following rotation of the collar and tightening the coupling, as described, the male member I2, the washer 28, and the tubular part I3 are all held tightly together to make a fluid-tight connection, and that all of the 'parts of the coupling are tightly locked in position against accidental uncoupling. The jaws 2| cannot move rearwardly because of engagement with the threads of the member I2 and cannot move forward because of engagement of the flanges I4 and 20. The collar 23 cannot move forward relative to the jaws because of engagement of the spring wire 45 with the coil spring 3|, and cannot be moved rearwardly because of engagement of the wall of the groove 44 with the coil spring 3| and because of engagement of the spring wire 46 with the rearward wall of the groove 36. Moreover, the cam faces 29, by engagement with the lugs 42, prevent the collar 23 from being moved rearwardly until the collar is rotated clockwise in Fig. 1. Because of the friction between the collar 23 and the parts in engagement therewith in the tightened condition of the coupling, even rotation of the collar requires deliberate exertion of force.

In disconnecting the coupling, the collar 23 is first rotated in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1 a sufficient amount to permit the jaws 2| to be contracted by the coil spring 3| to the positions shown in Fig. 5 and to align the lugs 42 with the rear portions of the slots 24. The collar 23 is then moved rearwardly to its rearward stop, with the lugs 42 in engagement with the spring 3|. In this condition the female member I0 may be pulled straight off of the member I2 by the sliding collar or it may be removed by exerting a transverse breaking force on the female member or the member I2. In this action it will be clear how the rear faces of the threads of the jaws 2|, by engagement with the threads of the male member, primarily the rst two or three threads thereof, causes the jaws 2| to deflect outwardly andrto rideover the threads of the member` I2. After removal of the female member Il) the jaws will be found to be in substantially the'condition illustrated in Fig. 5, even though the' male member l2 is not enclosed by them,V for the lugs 42, by engagement withA theedges of the jaws, prevent the collapse of the jaws. 23, of course, is at the rearward stop instead of at its forward stopv as in Fig.'5. In this condition it is ready to be reconnected to the member l2, if desired, after the manner previously described.

If desired, my coupling may be employed as a common screw type coupling by moving Ythe kcollar 23 to its forward stop, as in Fig. 5,and simply screwing the entire female member on the member l2 until a tight connection is effected.

It will be seen that the coupling of my invention provides the utmost convenience in'connecting to a threaded male member and in 'disconnecting therefrom. An important advantage of my coupling over other quickly connectible and releasable couplings is that it operates in conjunction with a standard threaded male member and requires no change in, or addition to, `the male member to which it is to be'co'nnected. This feature is of great commercial advantage because generally, as when used on ai garden hose, it is desired to attach the'femalecoupling membento any one of a number of outlets, and mycoupling eliminates the necessity of supplying special male outlet members and the inconvenience Yof attaching such members on the standard outlets available. It has been found that no dama-ge is doneV either tothe threads of the jaws of my coupling or to the threads of the male member by'pushing on and pulling olf my coupling, and it is found that the coupling is entirely dependable in operation and is sturdy and durable in use.

It will be obvious that'my coupling can' be adaptedy to use wherein a metal to metal fluid seal is required by dispensing with the flexible washer 28 `and by forming a suitable seat on the forward end of the part I3 and a suitable sealing surface on the end of the member l2 for engagement therewith. It will be understood that various otherV changes and modifications in design and construction of my coupling may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A coupling for connection with a threaded malev member, comprising: a plurality 'of internally threaded ajaws. rotatable about the axis of said coupling and independently movable in a radial direction; walls forming an external groove on said jaws; a spring surrounding said jaws and disposed in said groove, said spring urging the forward ends of said jaws radially inward; and an axially movablecollar surrounding said jaws and adapted in one position to permit said jaws to be deflected outwardly over the threads of said male member, and in another position to restrict the outward deflection of said jaws.

2. A coupling for' connection with a threaded male member, comprising: a plurality of internally threaded jaws rotatable about the axis of said coupling, veach of said jaws being wholly movable in a radial direction independently of the other of said jaws; means resiliently urgingA the forward ends of said'jaws radially inward; and means adapted in oneposition to permit said jaws to expand outwardly over the threads of said male member,l andin another position to The; collar;

rotatively engage saidjaws and to restrict the outward movement of said jaws to less than the depth of said threads, in such manner that rotation of said last-mentioned means in a direction tending to screw said coupling onto said male member effects tightening ofsaid coupling.

3. A coupling for connection with a threaded male member, comprising: a plurality of internally threaded jaws rotatable about the axis of said coupling and independently movable in a radial direction; means resiliently urging said jaws radially inward; and a member surrounding said jaws and carrying lugs interposed between said jaws to circumferentially space said jaws apart, said member being axially movable and being adapted in one' axial position to permit said jaws to expandoutwardly over the threads of said male member, and in another axial position to restrict the outward movement of said jaws in such manner that rotation of said member in a direction tending to screw said coupling onto said male member effects tightening of said coupling.

e. A coupling for connection with a threaded male member, comprising: a plurality of internally threaded arcuate jaws rotatable about the axis of said coupling and independently movable in a radial direction; a spring surrounding said jaws'and urging said jaws radially inward; and a collar surrounding saidjaws and carrying lugs interposed between said jaws to circumferentially space said vjaws apart and limit their inward movement, said collar being axially movable to a rearward positon'dctermined by engagement of said lugs with said spring and in which position said jaws are permitted to expand outwardly over the threads of said male member, and said collar being axially movable to a forward position in which outward expansion of said jaws is restricted in such manner that rotation of said collar and said jaws in a direction tending to screw said coupling Yonto said male member effects tightening of said coupling.

5. A coupling for connecting a rst member with a second externally threaded member, said first member being provided with an external groove; a plurality of internally threaded jaws having at their rear ends flanges rotatably disposed in` said groove; means resiliently urging the forward ends of said jaws radially inward; and an axially movable collar surrounding said jaws and adapted in one am'al position to permit said jaws to be deiiected outwardly over the threads of said second member, and in another axial position to restrict the Aoutward deflection of said jaws in such manner that rotation of said jaws in a direction tending to screw said coupling onto said second member tightens said coupling.

6. A coupling for connecting a first member with a second member, said second member being externally threaded, comprising: walls forming an external groove on said rst member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced arcuate internally threaded jaws having their rear portions flanged and located Within said groove; walls forming an external groove on said jaws; a coil spring disposed within said groove and urging said jaws radially inward; an axially movable collar carrying lugs extending inwardly into the spaces between said jaws, said collar having Yan internal groove disposed to the rear of said coil spring; a spring wire located within said'lastmentioned groove, providing by engagement with said coil spring, a forward, stop for said collar;

said collar restricting outward movement of said jaws when said collar is in its most forward position.

7. A coupling for connection with a threaded male member, comprising: a plurality of internally threaded jaws rotatable about the axis of said coupling and independently movable in a radial direction, said jaws being circumferentially spaced from one another to provide slots therebetween; means resiliently urging said jaws radially inward; an axially movable collar surrounding said jaws and carrying at its forward end lugs extending into said slots, said collar when in its rearmost position providing clearance to permit said jaws to expand radially outward,

but in its most forward position restricting outward movement of said jaws; and an abutment limiting travel of said male member into said coupling; one of the walls of each of said slots having a portion angularly inclined to the axis of said coupling in such manner that each of said slots is narrower in its rearward portion than in its forward portion, and the wall having the inclined portion being on that side of the slot which is engaged by the adjacent one of said lugs when said collar is rotated in a direction tending to screw said coupling onto said male member.

WILLIAM C. IFTIGER, SR. 

